Gilroy man accused of sexually assaulting children arraigned in court

GILROY, Calif. (KGO) -- A man is under arrest in Gilroy and charged with sexually assaulting children. The alleged victims are members of his extended family.

Police say 46-year-old Antonio Garcia posed as a baseball and bowling coach and lived in an apartment with his wife and six-year-old son.

Garcia was arrested Thursday after he dropped off his 6-year-old son at school. Police say there are other victims out there because some of the allegations date back 15 years.

"The investigation began with one victim coming forward and after word of the investigation spread, additional victims came forward, now totaling four," said Gilroy police Sgt. Royce Heath.

Police say two of Garcia's victims were molested 15 years ago.

The Homeowners Association president was shocked. "Went to church every Sunday. I go to the same church as him, amiable guy," said Dan the Homeowner's Association president. "It's horrible. Horrific, especially since he has his own child."

Garcia ran an embroidery business. The store was locked up and it appeared like he had left in a hurry. His neighbor, Quan Nguyen, owns an auto repair shop. Nguyen had no idea.

"Tony? He's a nice guy. Very friendly. We talked to each other. I say he's a nice guy," Nguyen said.

Police say all four known victims were children of Garcia's extended family. Investigators say he spent time as a private athletic coach to kids.

"He's coached pitching for baseball, bowling and involved in some other activities and through the investigation we determined that's how he got access to the known victims," Heath said.

Police say Garcia also helped coach Little League and participated with his son in the Boy Scouts. They learned about the investigation in December.

They said "We revoked his right to participate refunded his money and reported the suspected behavior to the Gilroy police."

Garcia was arraigned Friday on multiple counts of sexually assaulting a child.